The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-17
WELCOMED HOME.
Reception to Rev. S. r. Pearson at
the Gospel Mission.

The reception rendered to the Rev. s. f.,
fearson at the Gospel Mission last evening
was attended by large number of the mem
Ders OF the Mission and their friends, and
the welcome to Mr.. Pearson was as hearty
as could be desired. A concert by Legault's
Boys Band preceded the exercises, and the
little musicians gave great pleasure by their
good playing. The concert concluded with
a comet duet by Messrs. George c. Legault
and Nelson Partridge.
After the concert by the band, Bent's
quartette, consisting of Mr.. and Mrs. F. A.
Bent, Miss Eyangeline Pearson and Mr..
Fred Hanson, played "uome Again." the
audience singing the words Iof the song as
Mr.. and Mrs. Pearson, accompanied by the
clergymen who were to take part in the ex-
ercises, assembled the platform. Rev. f. IT
yley, of the State Street Church, who pre-
sided, called upon Rev. Mr.. Perkins. of the
West Church, to read from the Scriptures,
after which prayer was offered by Rev.
Henry Blanchard Mr.. f. J. Russell then
read the following letter from Mayor Chap
man:
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAYORS oFTIcE,
MAY 8, 1887. !
p. j. Russell, Esq:
Dear sir,-Your favor is at hand. l regret ex-
ceedlngly that previous engagements calling me
out of town the middle Of the week will prevent
my acceptance of your courteous invitation to
preside AT the reception to be rendered Rev. Mr..
Pearson. He is deserving of the utmost sympa-
thy and praise for the grand work in which he
has been engaged. trust thar his health may
he speedily restored, and that If ii should accord
with his future plans proper steps may be taken
a. once 70 retain ms services IN Portland rs a
field OF labor. With much cordially,
Very truly yours,
CHAs. j. CHAPMAN.
Rev. Mr.. Bayley delivered the address of
welcome expressing both his own gratifca-
ton and that Of all Mr.. Pearson's Portland
friends, at his return from his labors in Ire
land. Mr.. Bayley said that this WELDON e
was no mere formality but was largely per-
sonal matter. Mr. Pearson is personally
know to the clergy of the city who extend
him most cordial greeting, for those who
had, through Mr. Pearson, been led to a
knowledge of God. Mr. Bayley said that he
would not presume to speak as no words Of
his could express their feelings The speaker
then appropriately alluded to Mr.. Pcarson's
work abroad and in concluding extended to
him the right baud of fellowship.
Mr.. Pearson's name did not appear upon
duced by Mr.. Bayley and made few re-
marks upon his work during the winter
Mr.. Pearson first spoke of his great pleasure
in once more meeting his Portland friends.
He then said that seven months ago he
turned his face and his feet from his home
and since then had been working in ireland.
The Speaker added that there he found
question greater in importance than the land
question. The annual rental paid the Irish
landlords is now about 95,000,000 sterling,
while the amount paid for liquor in the
same time is El2,00O,000 During Mr.. Pear
stay in Ireland, he spoke 1856 times and be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 people signed the
pledge of total abstinence.
Mr.. Pearson alluded to the warmth and
generosity of the people and their reception
to MIN. lie said that Gen. Neal BOWS visit
to the country is still remembered, and that
= great many children have been named for
the General. One man last winter named
his baby for Mr.. Pearson. Mr.. Pearson said
that he was entertained in the same house IN
which General Dow was once a guest, and
tnat ne slept In bed once occupied by that
gentleman. In concluding, Mr. Pearson
handed the following letter to Mr.. Bayley,
by whom it was read:
r., BELFAST, 18th April, 1887.
Reverend and Dear Strive have much pleas
ure IN conveying TO You an expression of the high
appreciation in which the Executive of the League
hold the services rendered by you to the cause of
Total Abstinence and Prohibition in Ireland dur
ing the past five months.
You have labored with unse1sh devotion and
untlrlng energy and the grand results following
your efforts at every place visited are an unmis.
taxable evidence of the thorough effectiveness of
your advocacy.
We regret that you cannot stay with us at pres
ent 10 visit all the places from which we have re-
ceived applications for your services but we trust
you will be able TO return in the Autumn and ar
bac
heafd IN every part OF the island den0uncing the
"crime of crimes"
Arriving a stranger among us you depart carry
ing with you the affection and esteem of a wide
circle OF friends who will follow with interest
your future and pray for your success.
temperance League, Yours very truly,
LAWSON A. BROWN, Chairman.
VIM. WILKINSON, Secretary.
The other speakers were Rev. Messrs.
Crosley, Dunn, Blanchard and Crosser Mr.,
Crosley spoke of the great intemperanee of
the people of Scotland and Ireland. ana the
need OF prohibition work among them. He
mentioned the Gospel Mission as a place
where those who did not go to the churches
leadership of Mr.. Pearson.
Mr.. Dunn spoke of the need of the Mis-
sion, lnstanciDg the fact that there are alb out
1000 families in Portland who attend no
church. He expressed his pleasure at again
meeting Mr.. Pearson and wished the Gospel
Mission work God-speed,
Mr. Blanchard referred to the fact that
there are many who will not go to the
churches and expressed his sense of the
need OF the Gospel Mission. He spoke of the
work done by Mrs. Pearson and Mr.. Russell
during Mr. Pearson's absence. He believed
that If Mr.. Pearson considered it his duty to
return to ireland, the work of the Mission
would still be carried on
Mr.. Crosser said that any man who is not
blind in both eyes and deaf in both ears cam
6rfI nj Is.
Increase in Portland He thought therefore
that Mr. Pearson might find a field for useful
work here.
During the exercises Mrs. Cora Bent sang
Home Sweet Home;" Masters Ernest Cat
played clarionet trio; there was a piccolo
solo by Harry r. Bond, and music by the
Quartette. The reception closed with the
singing of AUD Lang Syne," and the bene-
diction by Rev. Mr.. Pearson.